Hydrocycle



Jan. 21, 1930. G. HANTJOPOULOS 1,744,075

' HYDROCjICLE Filed June 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN OR A TTORNE Jan. 21, 1930. i G HANTJOPOULOS 1,744,075

HYDROCYCLE Filed June 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTO 680,38 y os Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES GEORGE HANTJ'OPOULOS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HYDROGYCLE Application filed June 10,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hydrocycles.

The invention has for an object the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple durable construction, dependable in use and efficient in action, and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages there- 10 of, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. 1

In the accompanying drawing forming a nater'ial part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device constructed according to this invention with part of the pontoon covering removed.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional 5 view taken on the line 4*4: of Fig.1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectionalview as though taken l on the line 66 of Fig. 5. 30 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view looking in the direction of the arrows 77 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentaryvertical sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 4.

The reference numerals 10 indicate generally spaced floats. Each of these floats consists of a rod 11 having threaded ends 12. A central wheel 13 is fixed upon the center of the red by a set screw 14. A front cylindrical tank 15 with a central passage 16 is positioned upon the rod 11 to the front of the wheel 13.

A rear cylindrical tank 17 with a central passage 16 is similarly positioned upon the rod 11 but to the rear of the wheel 13. A front wheel 18 is positioned upon the rod 11 and abuts against the front of the tank 15 for holding the tank upon the rod. A setscrew 19 1929. Serial No. 369,675.

serves to hold the front wheel fixed on the rod. A rear wheel 20 is positioned upon the rod 11 to the rear of the tank 17 and abuts against the end of the tank and holds the tank in place. This wheel is provided with a set screw21 engaging the rod.

In each of the floats, the rodsll extend materially to the front and to the rear of the tanks. A disc'22 is threadedly engaged upon each end of therod 11 and a pointed member 0 23 partially covers the disc 22 and is also threadedly engaged upon the rod 11. Four longitudinal angle irons 24 extend the full length of each float and at their front ends are attached upon the rear discs 22, and intermediate of their ends are attached upon the wheels 13, 18 and 20. The angle irons 24 are provided with outer sheet metal covering 24 and are recessed at their outer sides in the vicinity where the wheels 13, 1'8 and 20 pass, that is, the wheels have rims joined by spokes to a hub-and thesaid rims engage in the said recessed portions of the an les. Small an? gular braces 25 are attache upon the inner peripheries ofthe wheel rims and to the angle irons 24:.

Each of thefloats have a central clamp ring 26 concentric with the wheel 13, and front and rear clamp rings 27 concentric with the wheels 18 and 20, respectively. All of these clamp rings have gripping flanges 28 on their horizontal center lines, and an outer rib 29 extending the full length of the float is supported by the outer flanges 28. The rings 26 and 27 also have flanges 28 on their horizon tal centers but positioned on their inner sides relative-to the two floats 10, and a short rib 30 is supported by these flanges 28 and extends slightly past the rings 27. Cross braces 31 are attached between the short ribs 30 of the floats 10. Each of the rings 27 are formed with top lugs 32, and top transverse braces 33 are secured between these lugs. These top braces33 are formed from angle irons.

A means for propelling the hydrocycle is supported between the floats 10 and upon the transverse braces. This propelling means consists of longitudinal braces 35 supported upon the transverse braces '33 and an operators seat 36 is supported upon the said braces.

Struts 37 serve to add rigidity to the braces.

Standards 38 are mounted upon the longitudinal braces 35 and support a shaft 39. Foot pedals 4O connect with the shaft 39 and are engageable by the feet of a person sitting upon the seat 36. A spiral gear 41 is fixed upon the shaft 39 and meshes with a horizontal spiral gear 42 upon avertical shaft 43 rotatively supported by the braces, and by a gear bracket 44 itself supported on the braces. Bevel gears 45 connect the vertical shaft 13 with a horizontal shaft 46 provided with a pro eller 47.

T e hydrocycle is also provided with steering means operable by a person sitting upon the seat 36 and consisting of an inclined rod 48 provided at its top with hand bars 49 and at its bottom with a wheel 50. A flexible cable 51 acts against the wheel and is extended thru cable guides 52 to the rear of the device. The flexible cable has its ends connected so as to be continuous and at the rear portion is attached upon a rudder arm 58. This rudder arm connects with a rudder 54 pivotally mounted in a rudder bracket 55.

In operation of the device, the tanks 15 and 17 serve to support it upon water. The pointed members 23 serve to cut the-water when the device travels. An operator sits upon the seat 36 and rotates the pedals 40. This rotation is transmitted to the propeller 47 which forces the device forwards. The operator may turn the handle bars for causing the cable 51 to move one way or the other so as to turn the rudder 54 and steer the device.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the class described, a rod, a s oked wheel fixed on the center thereof, cylindrical air tanks with central passages engaged on the rod, spoked wheels fixed on the rod for holdin the tanks in place, said rod extending to t e front and the rear of the tanks, discs mounted on the ends of the rods, pointed members on the discs, longitudinal angle irons connected between the discs and the wheels, and clamping rings mounted concentric with the said wheels.

2. A device of the class described, a rod with threaded ends, a spoked wheel fixed on the center thereof, cylindrical air tanks with central assages engaged on the rod, spoked wheels xed on the rod for holding the tanks in place, said rod extending to the front and the rear of the tanks, discs mounted on the ends of the rods, pointed members on the discs, longitudinal angle irons connected between the discs and the Wheels, and clamping rings mounted concentric with the said wheels.

3. In a device of the class described, a rod, a wheel fixed on the center thereof, cylindrical air tanks with central passages engaged on the rod, wheels fixed on the rod for holding the tanks in place, said rod extending to the front and the rear of the tanks, discs mounted on the ends of the rods, pointed members on the discs, longitudinal angle irons connected between the discs and the wheels, and clamping rings mounted concentric with the said wheels.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

GEORGE HANTJOPOULOS. 

